Lambda Sensor

[Prof]

Yep - the LC-1 has 2 analog outputs - they are both configurable, but come preset as a 1-0v signal (to emulate a narrowband) and a 0-5v signal for feeding into a piggy back or standalone ecu, although you can connect it to a gauge. You can also set it to provide 0-2v output so that it can drive a digital panel meter directly giving a digital display of AFR. The LC-1 also has a digital output that can be connected to either a laptop and / or one of their digital gauges (XD-16) which you can configure the colour of the LED\'s arond the edge (not sure about the digital display in the centre).
 
If you want customisable AFR gauges - the PLX range have a gauge that can be configued to look like anything - but the system is pricey.

[BinoX]

Ah I understand

Thx to both of you for being patient with me and my questions, I\'m still new at this kind of thing

The LC-1 probably is what I\'ll end up going for  I don\'t think I\'ll go for the fully customisable PLX range... Maybe in the future if the money comes rolling in What I have my eyes on at the moment will probably be expensive enough

Thx again

[Ricco_04]

If you are using it with the standard ECU then the £17 specials on ebay will work - as it\'s just a narrow band sensor.

Do you know if the FD uses the same sensor?

[Prof]

Do you know if the FD uses the same sensor?

As far as I know it does.  I\'ve got the FSM for the early FD\'s and that has the same 1 wire sensor in the circuit diagram.
 
The lambda sensor only actually does anything when you are in the cruise part of the map between about 1000 rpm and 3000 rpm on light to medium load.   So it doesn\'t have anything to do with emissions on idle, and it can\'t keep up at the higher revs / boost parts of the map so is just ignored by the ECU.  Anyone who has ever wired in one of those cheaper A/F gauges will be able to see this actualy working - as you see the gauge bounce from rich to lean rapidly when the ECU is using the lambda sensor - otherwise it\'s mostly just showing rich

[Ricco_04]

Cheers Prof :wave

Yes mine has the 1 wire sensor.  Assume the ebay one is this fella : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAZDA-323-91-97-MX5-90-94-PREMACY-RX7-92-97-NEW-1-WIRE-Oxygen-02-Lambda-Sensor-/290654798001?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item43ac6040b1

Mine is set to off.  Tried it and it seemed to only have voltage some of the time.  Have to try it again and see if the voltage dies when it matches the perameters you describe.  Sure it doesnt though so I think its knackered.

Ill have a punt if the ebay item is correct, if it makes no difference then ill just turn it off again! :rolleyes:

[Prof]

The ECU will run without the lambda sensor plugged in - it normally throws one or two error codes - you\'ll probably get the o2 sensor code, but you can also get the feedback loop code as well.
 
All the ECU does is run fixed maps for those parts of the maps, based on the AFM and MAP signals - so basically it will run a tiny bit rich but it\'s actually not that bad.  You\'ll notice the drop in fuel economy only on long runs when it would have been at cruise, so if you only ever take the car out to have a good burn, you\'re not missing anything
 
 
That sensor looks like the one I got - that was also listed for MX5 and 323.

[Ricco_04]

Thanks mate. Yeah I use the car daily so I might get a reasonable benefit.  Long journeys, as you say, I have noticed nothing really different. Be interesting to see what the fast idle emissions are for the next mot. :o

It\'s on a PFC, was just going through it and noticed that it was switched off so its been that way for years.  I just assumed that the mapper forgot to turn it back on but might be because its faulty then!

Ill have a look at the voltage readings next time just to make sure it is knackered - I assume it should ALWAYS have a voltage?

[Prof]

Thanks mate. Yeah I use the car daily so I might get a reasonable benefit. Long journeys, as you say, I have noticed nothing really different. Be interesting to see what the fast idle emissions are for the next mot. :o
 
It\'s on a PFC, was just going through it and noticed that it was switched off so its been that way for years. I just assumed that the mapper forgot to turn it back on but might be because its faulty then!
 
Ill have a look at the voltage readings next time just to make sure it is knackered - I assume it should ALWAYS have a voltage?

They have a voltage of either close to 1v or close to 0v - it\'s only around the lambda=1 where it suddenly changes.
 
This gives a bit of info :  http://www.picoauto.com/applications/lambda-sensor.html

[Ricco_04]

Cheers again - having a read now